The Incarnation: Prince of Peace

Introduction

What you just saw was a real event that happened almost 105 years ago on a cold bloody WW1 battle field. The Christmas Truce of 1914, I believe is one of the most extraordinary moments in any war. It all started when one side started singing Christmas carols and putting lights on makeshift Christmas trees. Even though the languages were different the tunes were all the same. The Christmas Spirit overcame animosity, fear and hatred for that short period of time. And what replaced it was peace. Not any peace though. this peace cant be found in treaties or human negotiation. This peace is only found in Jesus Christ! The Christmas Truce was 105 years ago but the ultimate bringer of peace came a s baby boy 2000 years ago.

Peace like all other descriptors we Give God is not only appropriate, but is also an embodiment of who He is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KHoVBK2EVE

, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The Prince of Peace, now that’s a powerful title. This peace that Jesus brings isn't the same kind of peace we may thing of when Miss America says she wishes for World peace. This peace is rooted in spiritual realities not political ones. Jesus gives us peace . . .

First, Jesus gives us peace through Forgiveness

says, blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

The ability to forgive others is rooted in God’s forgiveness to us. Because of our forgiven state in Jesus we have the example and power to forgive others, the world at large does not have that luxury. Hatred and violence grow and fester because so many don’t know or understand the forgiveness that comes from Jesus. For Christians, peace comes to us because we can and should let go because God through Jesus has.

In his book Grace is Greater Kyle Idleman has many great lines about God’s grace and forgiveness - one of them says, “The More I recognize the ugliness of my sin, the more I can appreciate the beauty of God’s Grace”

That’s what makes Jesus birth so beautiful it is God’s grace manifested in flesh. Jesus came to fulfill a mission that would offer forgiveness and grace to all who would accept the gift by faith! Christmas season should be beautiful because everything about the story is beautiful!

Second, Jesus gives us peace through Encouragement

says, 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

If you often miss our morning worship services, Wednesday classes, small groups, fellowship meals, men’s or women’s breakfast, your missing tons and tons of encouragement. There are times the Church will come to you in a time of need, but more often the only way you will find uplifting is when you come and worship/fellowship!

Because Jesus was born and because he died and rose again so can we tell anyone we encounter that there is hope! Not wishful thinking but hope found in a loving forgiving God who has already won the war against this world and all the evil in it! Jesus has empowered us to uplift one another.

Third, Jesus gives us peace through Healing.

, A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

When we find peace through Jesus, we can find rest for our hearts and soul. But we must allow it. In no way do I want to take away from what modern psychology has contributed to helping people with depression, stress, anxiety. But nothing and I mean nothing brings more peace of mind, body and soul than Jesus.

Through Jesus we can lay our burdens on him, and through Jesu we can pray for healing, pray for comfort and yes pray for peace. You body, mind, and most important our soul heals when we trust in Jesus to fix us!

Fourth, Jesus gives us peace through Security.

tells us, 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

Peace of mind comes from knowing no outside force can separate you from God. I tend to listen to podcasts quite often, and almost always there sponsored by a company named Life Lock. . . as good as they may be a preventing fraud and theft, it doesn’t compare to the security we have in Christ.

The story of Jesus is the story of how humanity no longer had to wonder whats next for us or how can we overcome sin and evil. Jesus saves us, fought for us, and keeps us!

Finally, Jesus gives peace through Hope.

says, 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Because of what Jesus did for us, we have Hope in every aspect of our lives. No matter what comes at us, Jesus gives us the expectation of restoration and eternal life.

Everybody is so cynical and depressed these days, the trials and tribulation of this world have beaten many of us up. I think a large reason many people are this way in our society is because they don't see any signs or symbols of hope!. They have looked to politics or human religion as the sole answer but those fail them every time.

But faith in Jesus, a relationship with Jesus answers the questions . The world needs symbols of hope!

So we need to point them in the direction of the manger - a symbol of promised hope fulfilled, we need to point to the cross - a symbol of redemption, we need to point to the empty tomb - a symbol of new beginnings. Because of Jesus the Manger is no longer a animal troft but a bed for a new born King, the cross is no longer a torture device but a monument of sacrificial love, and the grave no longer signals the end of our journey but the beginning of a new one with God. The Incarnate Jesus is Hope! And in our lives and especially at this time His hope fills us with joy and peace!

Conclusion

Jesus is the prince of peace. Through forgiveness, encouragement, healing, security, and hope we have through Him peace of mind and spirit. This is one of the greatest gifts that came with the birth of Christ.

2000 years ago the son of God became incarnate, Emmanuel. It was the beginning of bringing peace to the world. Not political or philosophical but spiritual and eternal.

Relationship, Hope, Joy and Peace. These are the promises of Christmas!

The Incarnation, The story of Christmas changed everything. It was the beginning of hope in a hopeless world. God reached out to us to save us while at the same time identifying with us to be come not just the perfect sacrifice but perfect priest and pastor.

The incarnation is God reaching out and saving his lost children. Do you realize what Christmas is about and what it led too. Have you accepted the gift of grace?. . .